Richie Gray: "Being on the Lions tour to Australia... gives you an insight into how they will play." (Image: SNS Group/SRU)

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RICHIE GRAY will turn mind reader in the hope of helping Scotland end the Six Nations campaign on a high.

Gray and Co square up to Wales in Cardiff on Saturday knowing a win will ensure they avoid the wooden spoon.

And the lineout ace believes he can second-guess the tactics of Welsh coach Warren Gatland after playing under the Kiwi on Lions duty.

Gray said: “Being on the Lions tour to Australia with a squad coached by Warren – and with Welsh No.2 Rob Howley as attack specialist – gives you an insight into how they will play.

“The Lions guys in Scotland’s set-up will be feeding that back. But come the weekend it will be all about concentrating on us and getting our part right.”

Scots chief Scott Johnson has been forced to delay revealing his line-up for the Millennium Stadium showdown.

His backline plans are in turmoil in the wake of fresh injury worries over Tommy Seymour and Max Evans.

And if they don’t prove their fitness quickly, there could be a debut cap for Edinburgh’s Dougie Fife and a first Test appearance for Glasgow’s Richie Vernon since his conversion from a back-row to centre. Gray played with Vernon at Glasgow and Sale and he said: “I was taken aback when I heard Richie was making the change.

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“But looking at how he has been performing, he is making huge gains.

“I am not as fast as him, so it wouldn’t be an option for me to go to centre.”

Coach Johnson said: “Richie is further down the track than anticipated – he has surprised a lot of people.

“I wanted to have a look at him to consider all options.”

Johnson also heaped praise on the attitude of loose forward Al Strokosch, who will make his comeback as an impact sub after being snubbed for the first four matches of the championship.

He said: “Since being left out, Stroker’s attitude has been impeccable – which is exactly what I would expect of him.

“Now we want to see him producing an impeccable performance this weekend.”

Gray admits last week’s painful 19-17 loss to France has taken its toll on the squad but knows Wales will also be smarting after their defeat by England.

The Welsh have had one day fewer to recover and Gray said: “Six-day gaps in internationals are hard but these boys will be looked after properly with all the correct protocols.

“Our game with France was a pretty tough encounter so we have bumps and bruises too.

“I’m expecting a fast and physical game as you always get with the Welsh.

“The stadium roof will be closed as well so that will make the pace even quicker. They will be extra keen to end their campaign on a positive note.

“England played very well and managed to stop them behind the gain line.

“That meant Wales couldn’t really get much momentum.

“Listening to them over the last few days, they’re pretty hurt and they’ll want to do something in front of their own fans to make amends.”